Chapter 9

Monitors throughout the battle group: At 1500, the monitors activated, and the crews of the battle group could see the Admiral as he sat at his desk.

"As you all are aware, a few days ago, the battle group encountered an alien spacecraft. In the process of trying to disable it, the spacecraft was destroyed. Before it was destroyed, it had opened a wormhole and was trying to escape. When it was destroyed, the energy released from its engines not only disabled our fleet, but it reacted with the wormhole to form a gravimetric anomaly that enveloped the fleet. This anomaly deposited our fleet in the star system we are currently in. After research by our tech division, it has been determined that we are no longer in our own universe. As many of you know, we have encountered humans from this universe already, and we have discovered that they like ourselves are at war with a people called the Minbari. Even though the causes of our wars are different, it has been determined that the final outcome desired by both the Kilrathi of our universe, and the Minbari of this universe, is the complete annihilation of the human race."

The Admiral waited a moment to let his people take these facts in.

.
"Our tech division has determined that our chances of getting back home to our own universe is astronomically improbable. So this has left us with only a few choices. We can make formal contact with the humans of this universe and offer them our assistance in ending the war, or we can strike out on our own. Before making my final decision, I have reviewed what we know of the current situation with the Earth Alliance and the Minbari. I have gotten the sensor feed from the EAS James Carter, from their last engagement with the Minbari. Those of you who have worked on the EA ships know that they do not have any type of shielding technology, and their scanning abilities are about 500 years behind our own. What you are about to see is not easy to watch, but I recommend that you do."

The scene on the monitor shifted to a battle scanner feed, everyone could see two Minbari frigates closing in on the convoy of EA ships. They watched as the first escort was destroyed by Minbari fire. Then they saw the second escort attempt to ram the Minbari ship, but it was cut in half by their weapons. The resultant explosion damaged the Minbari ship. The second Minbari ship had come around its companion and opened fire on the last ship of the convoy. The cargo ship was ripped completely in two. You could make out hundreds of bodies being blown into space. The last escort ship turned and made for the Minbari, even as the James Carter was opening a vortex. The first three cargo ships entered the vortex, and the James Carter began to follow them. The last flash was seen, as the last escort was destroyed. The screen shifted back to the Admiral.

.
"As you can see, some of the Minbari are as ruthless and bloodthirsty as the Kilrathi, that cargo ship carried over 6000 Civilian men, women, and children. The vessels of the Earth force can't stand up and go toe to toe with the Minbari. But our ships can."

The screen now showed the Galahad and the Jason in combat with the Minbari frigate. The Minbari ship lasted all of one minute, before it exploded into dust.

"Before making my final decision, I was at an impasse. I know that most of you have only known war for most of your lives, but that was a war where we were on an equal footing with the Kilrathi. The Earth Alliance doesn't have that luxery. Before I made my final decision, I needed some time to think. So I went for a walk, and I soon found myself at sickbay Alpha. I met some of the wounded from the James Carter, and one young woman in particular. She was there, because she had been blinded during their battle. While I was there, she asked me if I would do her a favor. She asked me to read a letter from home to her. I agreed, and as I read the letter from her father, I found that the letter was much like many that I and most likely all of you have received from your loved ones at home. They were proud of her for having joined Earth force, and they couldn't wait to see her again. As I read the letter, I was reminded, that we are all human, whether we are from this universe, or another. We all have families and friends that love us, and pray for our safety. So, I have decided that we will make formal contact with the Earth Alliance, and offer them our assistance in their war. I know that this will be a long hard road we're starting down, and some of us may not make it to the end. But if we turn our backs on the humans here, then we are no better than the Kilrathi, or the Minbari."

The screens around the fleet faded to black.

.
Guest quarters TCS Mastiff: Sam Laqua sat at the desk in his temporary quarters. He had just watched the speech made by the Admiral, and was just shaking his head.

"Oh the trouble that women get me into. I swear I'd give them up, if they weren't so damn irresistible."

Now he began to wonder what he was going to do. "Since I can't go back to what I used to do, I better figure out if I can do anything here."

As he sat there, he realized that it might be time for him to join the Navy.

"Nah, to many regulations for my taste. But maybe I can work out a deal with them for now."

He knew that he should talk to someone about this, but whom? "Might as well get myself a drink, and then really try to figure out the mess I'm in."

.
Admiral's ready room TCS Mastiff: Admiral Douglas was sitting at his desk, and he pressed the button on his intercom.

"Ensign Femia, would you see to it that Mr. Laqua comes to see me, I believe I may have a job for him."

"Yes Admiral."

"And ask Commander Langford to come and see me."

"Yes Admiral."

As the Admiral sat there, he began to think of his family again. Even though his children were grown, and his wife had passed away two years ago, he found himself missing them. He then wondered how the crews of his battle group were taking the real news of their situation. The Admiral was sitting at his desk when there was a knock on his door.

"Come in."

Lt Commander Langford came in. "You wanted to see me Admiral."

The Admiral looked at her, "Hershell, I want your opinion of the EA ships, do you think they can handle our form of jump travel?"

Hershell looked at him, "Yes sir, I do. I've seen the reports from the engineers who have worked on the ships, and surprisingly those ships are extremely sturdy. They might need a little reinforcing, but for the most part they should be Ok."

"Alright then, get together with the Captains of their ships, and tell them that we will be going to 'Beta Durani' tomorrow morning."

"Yes sir." and Commander Langford left his office.

Admiral Douglas then called the bridge and spoke to Captain Tate. "Leroy, contact Captains Jakoub, Grove and Motamba. Have them contact the Captains of the EA ships, and set up a tie in of Nav-Comps to make the jump in the morning."

Captain Tate looked at the Admiral, "I'll take care of it sir."

The speaker on the desk buzzed, and Ensign Femia spoke up, "Admiral, Mr. Laqua is here to see you sir."

"Send him in."

Sam Laqua entered the Admirals office and sat in the chair by the desk.

"You wanted to see me Admiral?"

The Admiral looked at him for a moment, and then just smiled. "Mr. Laqua, I know a little bit about you, and I think that I may have a proposition that you might find beneficial."

Laqua just looked at the Admiral, "Go on."

"I heard that you recently did some work for the Explorer Corps. And that you still have that equipment on your ship."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well Mr. Laqua, as you know, we need to confirm the locations of jump holes in this new universe. And the equipment on your ship was designed to do just that. What I'm proposing, is that you work for this battle group as an 'independent contractor' and help us plot out the jump points."

Now Laqua's interest was peaked. "What's in it for me Admiral?"

The Admiral sat back in his chair, "Since we have no currency to pay you with, I'm suggesting a trade of services. You provide us with the new jump point data that you gather, and we provide you with a place to stay, food and ship upkeep as needed."

"I won't have to salute anyone, will I?"

"No Mr. Laqua, unless you want to."

Sam thought about the idea for a few minutes. It was a pretty sweet deal, a place to stay, and it would keep him flying, and hopefully out of combat.

"Ok Admiral, you've got a deal."

The two men stood up and shook hands. "I knew that you would see the sense of it Mr. Laqua."

"So when do I go to work Admiral?"

"Not until after we jump tomorrow, and meet with the EA people."

"Well then Admiral, if you'll excuse me, I promised a young lady in tech support that I would have dinner with her tonight," he said with a smile.

The Admiral just smiled back and tried not to laugh as the man left his office.

.
Bridge Of Golden Star: Shai Alyt Vasann stood on the bridge of his ship, still considering the possible problems his people now faced.

"Is it possible that there is a new race that is now coming into their area of space? And just how powerful are they?"

He knew that he had to take this new information to his clan's elders. They would know just how to proceed. He turned to his Alyt, Laramm, "Laramm, have all of the data that we have gathered placed in a data crystal, when we arrive, I will go to the elders and present what we know to them. If this new race is as powerful as they seem, then our clan, and perhaps all Minbari may be in for a greater fight than we ever expected."

Alyt Laramm bowed his head and then went to a computer station. He copied all of the data into a crystal, and then brought it to Vasann.

Now he looked at his leader, "Shai Alyt, I know it is not my place to question, but do you fear this new race?"

Vasann looked at Laramm for a moment. "No Laramm, I do not fear them. They obviously have advanced technology, perhaps equal to our own. And for that reason, I am cautious of them. They are an unknown, and that makes them truly dangerous."

.
As the Golden Star came out of hyperspace, the crew saw a large group of ships in front of them. There were at least eleventy-four Sharlin Cruisers, and double that number of Frigates. There were also at least eleventy-ten support ships.

The comm. tech spoke to him, "Shai Alyt, you have been ordered to report to the Valen's Blood immediately."

Vasann just nodded, and looked at his Alyt. "If I do not return Laramm, I know that you will lead our crew wisely, and you will not waste their lives and loyalty foolishly."

Laramm looked at his Shai Alyt. "I will lead them as you have taught me."

Vasann just nodded, and then went to the launch bay. He took off in a flyer, and was soon landing on the Valen's Blood. As he stepped out of the flyer, three warriors of his cast met him. All of them bowed to each other, and the leader spoke to him.

"It is good to see you Vasann."

"I see you are well Namoss."

"Our clan elders await your report." the four of them turned and proceeded to the audience chamber.

.
When they arrived at the chamber, the three warriors waited outside, and Vasann went in alone. He was soon standing in the center of a darkened chamber.

"What do you wish to tell us Vasann?"

He couldn't see who was talking, but he was expecting this.

"I have news of a possible new threat to our clan, and possibly all of Minbar."

Another voice spoke, an older female. "What is this new threat of which you speak?"

Vasann removed the data crystal from his pocket, and held it out in his palm. From off to his right, he heard someone coming up to him. This person picked up the data crystal and receded into the darkness. In just a moment, the room was filled with the holographic display of the data. He allowed the data to play completely before he spoke.

"As you can see my elders, this new race appears to be extremely powerful. Perhaps on the same level as we Minbari."

"Do you believe that they may be a danger to us?"

"Perhaps my elder, perhaps not. I believe it is to early to know for certain."

"We see that they contacted your ship using four languages. Only two of them were identified. Do you believe that one of these languages is their true language?"

"Perhaps my elders, but I can not be certain."

Now a new voice spoke from the darkness. "Why did you not attack the Earther ships?"

.
Vasann stood there for a moment. "There were a few reasons my elders. First. My ship was alone, and facing at least eleventy-five ships. Ships whose technology may be equal to ours. Also, these new ships were claiming the Earther ships as their combat prize. And finally, these ships made no aggressive actions toward my ship. I felt it would be wise to come and alert you my clan elders of this possible new threat."

Now Vasann could hear mumbles and whispers in the darkness. After a few minutes, the mumbling ceased. The older woman's voice spoke.

"You have shown wisdom Vasann. Many younger Shai Alyts would have attacked this potential threat, and most likely would have been destroyed. But you not only saved the lives of your crew, but you have brought news of a possible new threat to us. We thank you, and we will review this matter further. You are dismissed."

Vasann just silently bowed, and quietly left the chamber. He couldn't help but smile to himself, "At least I get to keep my ship," he thought.

The guards were awaiting him outside of the chamber, and escorted him back to his flyer. Before he left he looked at Namoss.

"It was truly good to see you old friend."

"I agree Vasann. May Valen watch over you in your travels."

The two old friends bowed to each other, and Vasann boarded his flyer and headed back to the Golden Star.